Moderators: Natalie Hold, Michelle Kaiser, Jan Hiddink, Marianna Chimenti

Bangor University, in collaboration with the Welsh Government and Heriot-Watt University, invites applications for a PhD focusing on research and modeling to support the spatial, temporal and rotational management of the Welsh scallop fishery, with the aim of promoting sustainability and achieving good environmental status.

Partial funding has been confirmed, and full funding is expected. Details can be discussed at interview.

Bangor University – Sustainable Fisheries Research Group Bangor is world-renowned for its sustainable fisheries research and has worked with the Welsh Government and industry since 2012. Current projects support the management of scallop, whelk, crab, lobster and sea bass fisheries. Research includes biological data collection (growth and maturity), ecosystem assessments, fishery-independent surveys, fishery-based data improvement, and development of assessments. The group includes Master’s/PhD students, early-career researchers, and faculty members.

Heriot-Watt University – Marine Sustainability, Policy and Conservation Evidence Collection Based in Lille, Heriot-Watt supports fisheries sustainability research UK-wide, in collaboration with industry, NGOs and government. Areas of focus include seafloor impact reduction, fisheries management modeling, and scallop biology. The center hosts approximately 50 PhD students and a strong fisheries/conservation sciences team.

Project overview Effective fisheries management supports biological, environmental, economic and social sustainability. Following the UK Fisheries Act (2020), new Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) are being developed. King Scallop FMP deployed in 2023; This PhD will contribute vital evidence for its implementation in Wales.

The Welsh scallop fishery operates in Liverpool Bay, Carnarvon Bay and Cardigan Bay – the latter being the most important. Cardigan Bay includes open fishing areas and a large closed area (since 2009). Bangor has been conducting annual independent fishery surveys since 2012, including dredging and camera sampling (abundance, age, size, maturity, meat yield, bycatch) and beam trawl (benthic community) surveys. The PhD student will participate in these surveys and have access to wider UK, EU and fishery-based data sets (landings, VMS/iVMS).

Goals and objectives

• Modeling scallop distribution, productivity, and habitat suitability using experimental and public data sets.
• Evaluate growth rates under different environmental conditions to guide rotational management.
• Study recruitment and movement of pre-recruits to guide survey timing and fisheries planning.
• Compare natural seafloor disturbances with fishing impacts to guide spatial management.
• Develop management options, including rotational and innovative strategies for sustainability.

Personal qualities

• Critical thinker with attention to detail
• Self-directed and independent
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary
• Committed to open science and reproducibility

The successful candidate will start in November 2025. Salary is approx. £20,000 (2025/26) and £21,000 (2026/27 and 2027/28). The student will be based at Bangor University, with funded time at Heriot-Watt University. All fees are covered, and participation in the annual Welsh Scallop Survey is included.

Financing: Welsh Government and Bangor University

to request: Send with a CV and a cover letter covering personal specifications.

Interviews: Late October (online) communication: Natalie Hold – n.hold@bangor.ac.uk